Browns sign Chris Faulk to free-agent deal

Rehabbing from torn ligaments in practice that cost him last season, Chris Faulk took a calculated risk declaring for the NFL draft as a junior.

The LSU left tackle’s reasoning went like this: try to keep his once-assumed first-round stock from falling and earn a salary instead of incurring further risk by returning.

After three days and seven rounds, Faulk’s bet didn’t pay off after the 6-foot-6, 325-pound prospect, rated the No. 11 offensive tackle by NFLDraftScout.com, went undrafted. Instead, his inability to conduct pre-draft workouts might have cost him.

Similar to six other LSU players, including two more underclassmen, Faulk signed a free-agent contract late Saturday, joining the Cleveland Browns.

Junior running back Michael Ford, a 5-10, 216-pound Leesville native, left after rushing for 392 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries. Some scouting services projected him as a sixth-round pick, but no call came and Ford signed with Chicago — the same destination as senior center P.J. Lonergan.

Redshirt sophomore punter Brad Wing was rated among the top five prospects at his position by multiple scouting services, but off-the-field transgressions such as a reported failed drug test and a June 2011 simple battery arrest left teams dubious. But Wing found a suitor in Philadelphia, which also signed wide receiver and former five-star recruit Russell Shepard.

Finally, senior tight end Chase Clement signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants, and defensive end Chancey Aghayere signed with Seattle.